Light Up Downtown Kicks Off Holiday Season In Cincinnati

3CDC's annual tree lighting ceremony at Fountain Square is Friday evening. But the organization has a number of other activities throughout the day.

9:00 a.m.: Ice rink opens

11:00 a.m.: Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt opens

5:00 p.m.: Fountain Square Concessions open

6:00 p.m.: 2nd Wind performs

6:45 p.m.: City Council Member Introduction

7:25 p.m.: Official Tree Lighting Ceremony

7:30 p.m.: Fireworks show

7:40 p.m.: 2nd Wind performs

9:00 p.m.: Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt closes

11:00 p.m.: Rink & Concessions close

The Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt is a European-style village with vendors selling baked goods, sweets, gifts, and holiday decorations. This is the fourth year for the Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt.

While Santa and his helpers have rappelled down a tower in previous years, 3CDC spokeswoman Brittney Carden says he will not enter the Square that way this time. She says how he will enter is a secret.

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Students from Xavier were at Fountain Square Friday to give something away: hugs.

The event was part of the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement's Golden Rule Week, which was designed to teach that the idea of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is found in many different faiths and traditions.